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Achieving Polymorphism with Dynamic Dispatch in Zig

2025-07-19

Zig, unlike many languages, lacks built-in interfaces. However, this doesn't preclude polymorphism. This article details a method for achieving dynamic dispatch polymorphism in Zig using vtable interfaces. This approach cleanly separates interfaces from implementations, requiring no changes to implementation types while enabling dynamic dispatch. It leverages function pointers to construct a vtable and uses an `implBy` function to connect implementations to the interface, effectively mimicking the functionality of interfaces in object-oriented languages. This allows storing different implementations in arrays or maps. While some boilerplate code is involved, the advantages are a clean, flexible, and reusable approach with minimal impact on implementation types.

(williamw520.github.io)

Development Polymorphism

Building Software with AI: A Four-Document System and the Everlasting Beginner

2025-07-19

Building Software with AI: A Four-Document System and the Everlasting Beginner

The author built Protocollie in four days using AI pair programmer Claude, not through expert coding skills but via four documents: Architecture Overview, Technical Considerations, Workflow Process, and Story Breakdown. This process, likened to "throwing spaghetti at the wall," highlights experimentation over planning, showcasing the changing landscape of AI-assisted programming. It reveals a shift in the programmer's role and embraces the uncertainty of this new era, where rapid technological advancement outpaces the accumulation of expertise.

(worksonmymachine.substack.com)

Development

Felix Baumgartner, Daredevil Who Broke the Sound Barrier in Freefall, Dies at 56

2025-07-19

Felix Baumgartner, Daredevil Who Broke the Sound Barrier in Freefall, Dies at 56

Felix Baumgartner, the renowned extreme athlete famous for his record-breaking 2012 Red Bull Stratos jump from the edge of space, died at 56 in a paragliding accident in Italy. Baumgartner, often called "Fearless Felix," plummeted to Earth at supersonic speeds, achieving a feat he described as leaving a 'footprint' on the planet. Hours before his death, he posted on Instagram, "Too much wind." Red Bull released a statement expressing their shock and sadness, highlighting Baumgartner's meticulous preparation and generous spirit. His death marks the passing of a legendary figure in extreme sports, a man who inspired many with his daring feats and unwavering determination.

(abcnews.go.com)

Misc Red Bull Stratos

Conquering the Challenges of 5G n78 Band Recording

2025-07-19

The author attempted to record signals from the 5G n78 band (3.3-3.8 GHz) in Spain to analyze its characteristics. Due to the large bandwidth (typically 100 MHz), capturing the full signal with standard SDRs proved difficult. Collaborating with the ANTS research group at the University of Murcia, high-end USRP equipment and multiple antennas were used for data acquisition. Challenges included interference on the USRP X410 in this band, leading to the use of a USRP N310 and high-performance storage for successful recording of signals from Movistar, Orange, and Vodafone. The resulting datasets, formatted in SigMF, are now publicly available.

(destevez.net)

Tech

LLMs Fall Short at IMO 2025: Medal-Level Performance Remains Elusive

2025-07-19

Researchers evaluated five state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) on the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) problems using the MathArena platform. Gemini 2.5 Pro performed best, achieving only a 31% score (13 points), far below the 19 points needed for a bronze medal. Other models lagged significantly. A best-of-32 selection strategy, generating and evaluating multiple responses per problem, significantly increased computational cost. Despite this, the results demonstrate a substantial gap between current LLMs and medal-level performance on extremely challenging mathematical problems like those in the IMO, even with substantial computational resources. Qualitative analysis revealed issues such as models citing nonexistent theorems and providing overly concise answers.

(matharena.ai)

AI International Mathematical Olympiad

Stellar Flyby Sculpted the Orbits and Colors of Trans-Neptunian Objects

2025-07-19

Stellar Flyby Sculpted the Orbits and Colors of Trans-Neptunian Objects

New research suggests a stellar flyby in the early solar system shaped the unusual orbits and color distribution of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs). Using supercomputer simulations, scientists modeled a 0.8 solar mass star's flyby of the protoplanetary disk, successfully reproducing the spiral arm-like distribution of TNOs, their orbital characteristics, and their red-to-gray color gradient. The simulations showed a correlation between color and orbital inclination, with red objects primarily found at low inclinations and green to blue objects dominating higher inclinations. This research provides new evidence for a stellar flyby in the early solar system and offers predictions for future Vera Rubin Observatory observations, promising a deeper understanding of solar system formation.

(phys.org)

Tech Trans-Neptunian Objects Stellar Flyby

Linux Secure Boot Facing Key Expiration: A Race Against Time

2025-07-19

Linux Secure Boot systems rely on a Microsoft key set to expire in September. This key signs the shim, the first-stage UEFI bootloader used to boot the Linux kernel. While a replacement key has been available since 2023, many systems may lack it, potentially requiring hardware vendor firmware updates. This poses extra work for Linux distributions and users. Updating firmware via LVFS and fwupd might be necessary, but isn't guaranteed to succeed; older BIOS systems may face space constraints, even requiring a BIOS reset. Vendor updates may also be problematic, with some manufacturers having lost access to their platform keys. Ultimately, disabling Secure Boot might be the only option in some cases.

(lwn.net)

Development

arXivLabs: Experimenting with Community Collaboration

2025-07-19

arXivLabs is a framework enabling collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on the website. Individuals and organizations involved embrace arXiv's values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only partners with those who share them. Got an idea to enhance the arXiv community? Learn more about arXivLabs.

(arxiv.org)

Tech

HP's PCFax: A CarFax for Used PCs

2025-07-19

HP's PCFax: A CarFax for Used PCs

The world generates over 60 million tonnes of e-waste annually, much of it prematurely discarded functional computers. HP introduces PCFax, akin to a CarFax report for vehicles, documenting a PC's complete usage and maintenance history. By embedding secure telemetry in the firmware, it collects and stores device health and usage data securely on the SSD, protected from unauthorized access. The PCFax report aggregates data from various sources, including factory records and customer support logs, providing IT teams and buyers of used PCs with comprehensive device history. This promotes reuse, reduces e-waste, and improves PC resource efficiency. Future plans include AI integration for predictive failure analysis, enhancing efficiency further.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

Felix Baumgartner, Daredevil and Record-Breaking Jumper, Dies in Paragliding Accident

2025-07-19

Felix Baumgartner, Daredevil and Record-Breaking Jumper, Dies in Paragliding Accident

Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian extreme athlete renowned for his record-breaking stratosphere jump in 2012, died Thursday in a paragliding accident in Italy. Baumgartner, 56, reportedly suffered a sudden illness mid-flight, losing control and crashing into a hotel pool. The accident also injured a hotel employee. Baumgartner's death comes as a shock, given his history of pushing boundaries with daring stunts. His legacy, however, remains a testament to human courage and the pursuit of extraordinary feats, though also marked by controversial public statements and legal battles.

(www.theinternational.at)

Misc paragliding accident Felix Baumgartner

Software Engineer Needed: Building the Future of Neural Data

2025-07-19

Software Engineer Needed: Building the Future of Neural Data

Piramidal is seeking a software engineer to build and maintain the backend infrastructure for their groundbreaking neural data platform. This role involves close collaboration with ML engineers to deploy cutting-edge models and working directly with product and internal teams to solve critical problems. The ideal candidate has 5+ years of experience at a product-focused company, proficiency in Python and other backend languages, expertise in containerization (Kubernetes), relational databases (Postgres/MySQL), and web technologies (JavaScript, React). Piramidal is committed to using technology to enhance human potential and supports cognitive liberty.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Development

Why I Refuse to Use AI for Writing

2025-07-19

Why I Refuse to Use AI for Writing

An author shares his reasons for refusing to use large language models (LLMs) for writing. He argues that over-reliance on LLMs reduces originality, weakens independent thinking, and deprives writing of personalized deep thought and associations. He cites studies from MIT and the UK supporting the idea that LLMs can lead to cognitive laziness and reduced learning motivation. Furthermore, the author finds LLM-generated text lacks personality and emotion, failing to capture the unique associations and insights that arise during reading. This conflicts with his pursuit of a deep reading experience. He ultimately chooses to stick to independent writing, believing it's the only way to maintain authenticity and originality.

(lifehacky.net)

Development cognitive laziness independent thinking

Modern Bikes, Modern Dangers: The Perils of Lightweighting and Integration

2025-07-19

Modern Bikes, Modern Dangers: The Perils of Lightweighting and Integration

A seasoned bicycle mechanic sounds the alarm: Modern bikes' lightweight and highly integrated designs, while boosting performance, also increase safety risks. From handlebars and steerers to tires, brakes, and even seemingly minor components like chains and seatposts, failures can lead to accidents due to design flaws, improper installation, or misuse. The author urges cyclists and mechanics to prioritize the safety of every part, perform regular inspections and maintenance, and choose reputable brands and mechanics for repairs.

(escapecollective.com)

Misc bicycle safety bike maintenance

Stop YouTube Auto-Translation: A Firefox Extension

2025-07-19

Stop YouTube Auto-Translation: A Firefox Extension

This open-source Firefox desktop add-on prevents YouTube's automatic translation. It keeps video titles, audio tracks, and descriptions in their original languages, and only displays real subtitles in the selected language (ignoring auto-generated ones). The add-on is free to use but you can support its development via Ko-fi. Also available on the Chrome Web Store.

(addons.mozilla.org)

Development Firefox Extension Auto-Translation

US Revokes Visas of Seven Brazilian Supreme Court Justices

2025-07-19

US Revokes Visas of Seven Brazilian Supreme Court Justices

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the revocation of visas for seven Brazilian Supreme Court justices, in addition to Judge Alexandre de Moraes. This action follows the Brazilian Supreme Court's issuance of search warrants and restraining orders against former President Jair Bolsonaro, stemming from allegations that Bolsonaro sought interference from US President Donald Trump in Brazilian courts. Bolsonaro denies the accusations, calling the court's actions cowardly. The move escalates tensions between the US and Brazil and highlights Trump's continued support for Bolsonaro.

(nypost.com)

Tech Brazilian Politics US Foreign Policy Bolsonaro

Ilograph Team vs. Team+ Subscription Comparison

2025-07-19

Ilograph Team vs. Team+ Subscription Comparison

Ilograph offers two team collaboration diagramming subscription plans: Team and Team+. The Team plan supports up to 5 editors and 20 viewers, offering unlimited team diagrams, diagram history, and custom icons. The Team+ plan supports 6 or more editors, unlimited viewers, and adds premium features like single sign-on, diagram exports, API access, and shareable links. The best plan depends on your team size and need for advanced features.

(app.ilograph.com)

Development collaboration diagramming subscription plans

Microtriangles: The Real Killer of Rendering Performance, Not Poly Count

2025-07-19

Microtriangles: The Real Killer of Rendering Performance, Not Poly Count

The old lore about polygon count determining rendering performance is outdated. Modern rendering is significantly impacted by microtriangles. This article argues that tiny triangles (under 10x10 pixels) become exponentially more expensive to render because GPUs compute a full 2x2 pixel block even if the triangle only covers one pixel. The author suggests focusing on "wireframe view density", switching to lower LODs when the view gets close to solid, or using a single LOD with imposters for distant objects. Epic's Nanite technology tackles this by using compute shaders and screen-space shaders to minimize the cost of rendering microtriangles.

(medium.com)

Development LOD optimization

No-Soldering Upgrade for Your Casio F-91W: Sensor Watch Pro

2025-07-19

No-Soldering Upgrade for Your Casio F-91W: Sensor Watch Pro

Oddly Specific Objects is back with a solderless upgrade for the classic Casio F-91W: the Sensor Watch Pro. This upgrade features an accelerometer and a custom LCD, allowing for more complex display options. A browser-based emulator simplifies firmware flashing. The upgrade process is straightforward, involving disassembly and component replacement. The author customized the firmware, removing imperial units and the 12-hour clock, and adding a counter, accelerometer, and light sensor displays.

(blog.jgc.org)

Hardware

The 14KB Rule: Why Website Size Matters More Than You Think

2025-07-19

Why is a 14kB webpage significantly faster than a 15kB one? The answer lies in TCP slow start, an algorithm that governs how servers initially send data. This article explains how TCP ensures reliable data transmission and how slow start optimizes bandwidth usage. High-latency networks, like satellite internet, dramatically illustrate the impact: each round trip adds significant delay. The article advocates for minimizing website size to under 14kB or, at the very least, ensuring critical content is within the first 14kB for optimal user experience. While HTTP/2 and HTTP/3 are mentioned, they don't negate the importance of this principle.

(endtimes.dev)

Development

Heroes of Might and Magic III and Might and Magic VII: New World Computing's Peak

2025-07-19

This article recounts the development of Heroes of Might and Magic III and Might and Magic VII by New World Computing in 1999. Founder Jon Van Caneghem's waning passion for games, replaced by a love of racing, presented challenges. However, Heroes III, helmed by David Mullich and newcomer Greg Fulton, successfully built upon its predecessor's success with a limited budget and time, becoming the most beloved entry in the franchise. Meanwhile, Might and Magic VII, a solid evolutionary step, included the popular card game Arcomage. While both games were commercially successful, they marked the pinnacle of New World Computing, foreshadowing its eventual decline.

(www.filfre.net)

Game

Kimi Researcher's Journey to Anti-Bland Design: Iteration, Collaboration, and the Impossible Triangle

2025-07-19

Kimi Researcher's Journey to Anti-Bland Design: Iteration, Collaboration, and the Impossible Triangle

The Kimi researcher team's journey in designing the UI for their AI research reports wasn't a straightforward process. Their initial sleek UI was deemed 'bland,' leading them to define 'anti-bland' design standards. Through case studies, team collaboration, and countless iterations, they tackled the 'impossible triangle' of aesthetics, interactivity, and data fidelity. They employed elements like Bento layouts, Italian italics paired with bold type, and subtle JS animations to enhance the user experience. The team emphasizes the importance of collaboration and continuous iteration in achieving a design that's both aesthetically pleasing and functionally effective.

(medium.com)

Design

Wii U Boot1 Exploit: Data Recovery Leads to 'Paid the Beak'

2025-07-19

This post details how a team, through recovering data from destroyed Nintendo Wii U factory test SD cards, unexpectedly discovered and exploited a Boot1 vulnerability. WiiCurious gathered numerous damaged SD cards, and DeadlyFoez used expert soldering skills to repair and read the data. Reverse engineer Rairii found a Boot1 vulnerability within this data and developed an exploit called 'paid the beak,' capable of fixing most Wii U software bricks. Additionally, the team developed methods using a Raspberry Pi Pico and PICAXE 08M2 to mimic the factory-specific tool needed to trigger the vulnerability. This exploit provides a more accessible way to fix Wii U bricks, avoiding the need for console disassembly and soldering.

(consolebytes.com)

Development Data Recovery

Microsoft's Massive Layoffs: An AI-Driven Restructuring?

2025-07-19

Microsoft's Massive Layoffs: An AI-Driven Restructuring?

Microsoft's recent layoffs, impacting over 15,000 employees, have sent shockwaves through the tech industry. The cuts, the largest in over a decade, spanned various departments including gaming studios, sales teams, and even AI divisions, affecting veteran employees and long-term contributors. Underlying these layoffs is Microsoft's strategic shift in the AI era, reflecting uncertainty about its future direction. While the company claims to refocus on AI, the brutal execution and insensitive responses have exposed internal management flaws and a lack of respect for employees. This casts a shadow over Microsoft's culture and raises broader questions about the evolving model of tech company growth in the age of AI.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech AI strategy tech industry restructuring

Microsoft Shuts Down Movies & TV Store After Nearly 20-Year Run

2025-07-19

Microsoft Shuts Down Movies & TV Store After Nearly 20-Year Run

Microsoft has announced the closure of its Movies & TV storefront on the Microsoft Store, effective July 18th. No new movie or TV content can be purchased through the Microsoft Store on Windows PCs or Xbox consoles. This follows the shutdown of Groove Music in 2017, marking the end of almost two decades of Microsoft selling digital movies and TV shows. Existing purchases remain accessible through the Movies & TV app, but users are encouraged to migrate to services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. The move is a significant shift for users who've built up collections on the Microsoft platform.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech Movies & TV Store Closure

LibreOffice Accuses Microsoft of Deliberately Complex File Formats for User Lock-in

2025-07-19

LibreOffice Accuses Microsoft of Deliberately Complex File Formats for User Lock-in

LibreOffice has again criticized Microsoft, accusing it of intentionally using overly complex OOXML file formats (.docx, .xlsx) to lock in users and hinder switching to alternative office suites. LibreOffice argues that while XML should promote interoperability, Microsoft's OOXML is excessively complex, likened to a 'train' only Microsoft can build, preventing competition. The article uses a railway analogy to illustrate Microsoft's actions, urging users to switch to Linux and LibreOffice.

(www.neowin.net)

Tech

ColdplayGate: We Don't Need AI for a Dystopian Surveillance State

2025-07-19

ColdplayGate: We Don't Need AI for a Dystopian Surveillance State

A tech executive's alleged affair, caught on a stadium jumbotron during a Coldplay concert, went viral. This isn't just gossip; it highlights our capacity for self-surveillance. From mistaken accusations in the Boston Marathon bombing to countless examples of individuals losing jobs due to online shaming, we readily use technology to publicly punish perceived social contract violations. Our smartphones are the tools, the internet the judgment hall. Before fearing big tech surveillance, consider our own gleeful participation in online witch hunts. We've already created our own dystopia.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech online surveillance social media shaming

DuckDuckGo Adds AI Image Filter to Search

2025-07-19

DuckDuckGo Adds AI Image Filter to Search

Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo has rolled out a new setting allowing users to filter out AI-generated images from search results. This follows user feedback indicating AI images often obstruct finding relevant real-world images. Users can find a new 'AI images' dropdown in the image search tab, choosing to 'show' or 'hide' AI content. DuckDuckGo states the filter relies on manually curated open-source blocklists, offering significant reduction in AI image results, though not perfect. Future additions to the filter are planned.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech AI images search filter

Intel Kills Clear Linux OS After Nearly a Decade

2025-07-19

Intel Kills Clear Linux OS After Nearly a Decade

Intel has abruptly ended support for Clear Linux OS, a high-performance Linux distribution it backed for almost a decade. The decision, announced with little fanfare, leaves users scrambling to migrate to alternative distributions like Fedora or Ubuntu. While Clear Linux was praised for its speed and optimization for Intel hardware, it failed to achieve mainstream adoption. The sudden shutdown, without explanation or transition roadmap, serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of even corporate-backed open-source projects. Users are urged to move immediately to prevent running unpatched software.

(nerds.xyz)

Tech

Record-Breaking Auction: Martian Meteorite and Dino Skeleton Fetch Millions

2025-07-19

Record-Breaking Auction: Martian Meteorite and Dino Skeleton Fetch Millions

A Sotheby's auction in New York saw a 54-pound Martian meteorite, NWA 16788, sell for over $5.3 million, setting a record for the most expensive meteorite ever sold. However, the real star was a rare juvenile Ceratosaurus nasicornis skeleton, which fetched a staggering $30.5 million after a fierce bidding war. This is only one of four known complete skeletons of this species, and the only known juvenile. The meteorite, discovered in the Sahara Desert, journeyed millions of miles through space before landing on Earth.

(apnews.com)

Tech meteorite auction dinosaur skeleton Sotheby's

Quantum Leap: Magic State Distillation Achieved in Logical Qubits

2025-07-19

Quantum Leap: Magic State Distillation Achieved in Logical Qubits

Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in quantum computing by demonstrating, for the first time, 'magic state distillation' in logical qubits. This crucial process purifies quantum states, enabling the execution of complex algorithms and unlocking the potential for fault-tolerant quantum computers exceeding the capabilities of supercomputers. This milestone paves the way for truly useful and powerful quantum machines.

(www.livescience.com)

Tech magic state distillation logical qubits

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